Grading the Bucks--Week 12: Minnesota

Offense: B+
JT was phenomenal as always.  The interception was not good obviously, but his running was great.  There were some great passes and some that leave much to be desired (likely due to cold weather--not a good excuse).  Zeke was very good as well, but he still isn't getting enough carries.  Receivers definitely had an off day overall (dropsies for Thomas) but still better from last year.  Here's the big downside that I can't get out of my head...the fumble at the goalline is COMPLETELY INEXCUSABLE! The game is over....no doubt, if Marshall holds the ball (or Spencer recovers it).  The players need to know the situation and know that there's no need to press there.

Defense: B-
I really see some improvement on defense from the last few year; great improvement; except in one area that is an Ohio State staple...TACKLING.  This team's tackling ability went into the crapper and I don't know why.  It's nice having a secondary that doesn't blow chunks (see Buckeyes 2013), but there are still guys going for 'blow up' hits rather than form tackling.  The line is fantastic...at rushing the passer, but there is much to improve on stopping the run.  A Jonathan Hankins would be great to shore up the middle.  Bosa and Bennett are producing in one aspect (sacks) but not the other (tackling the RB consistently)..

Special Teams: BUTT
This is just pathetic.  Every week, they shock me by doing something else stupid.  Every week, a kickoff goes out of bounds...EVERY WEEK.  Every week, someone tries to be a hero and returns a kickoff to the 15.  Every week (it seems), someone muffs a punts or fumbles a kickoff (inside the 10...REALLY!?!?!).  That throwback return by Minnesota almost went the distance because we're way too aggressive.  It's time to kick every kickoff deep, kneel every kickoff, not catch any punt (don't even send someone back), and get better punting (Johnston looked a bit off in the cold).  Butt...that's all I have to say about that.

Coaching: B-
Urban coaching the special teams...that's a problem.  Overall, the game was called ok, but I don't understand this team's predilection to check out early.  That's coaching.  Why is Marshall stretching for the goalline?  Why is Marshall catching (or failing to catch) a punt inside the 6? Why is Herman throwing deep early when it isn't needed and the short game was churning? Why weren't the Bucks running the clock a little more and keeping Barrett out of harm's way?  Where has fundamental tackling go? These are questions for which I'd love to have answers.  This was an odd game that had some enormous mistakes that made a laugher into a 'close game' (I was never worried about losing).

Overall: B
This team is better than a 7 point win at Minnesota.  The Gophers are improved, but OSU is so much better, there is no reason for this to be anything but a 21 point game.  Don't listen to the talking heads, all OSU needs to do is win (the chips will fall as they may).  Blowouts don't really make any difference, but I'd like some more momentum and energy going forward.  The next two weeks should be massacres.  They need to shore up the tackling before Mr. Gordon meets the Bucks.